Center for Disability Resources (CDR) : March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

PRO-PARENTS Calendar of Workshops

4/03/2010

10:30 am - 12:30 pm*
Section 504 of Rehab Act of 1973 Workshop

Edgefield County DSS Office

120 WA Reel DriveEdgefield, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectEducation Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010

9:30 am - 11:30 am
ADD / ADHD WorkshopAnderson Behavioral Health Services

226 McGee RoadAnderson, SC 29625
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Marlboro County DSS Office

713 South Parsonage StreetBennettsville, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectEducation Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
ADD / ADHD Workshop

Colleton County DSS Office

215 South Lemacks StreetWalterboro, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectEducation Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/10/2010

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop

Family Connection of SC

St. Francis Hospita lBernadine Center

1 St. Francis Drive Greenville, SC
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010

9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Beaufort Marine Air Station Building 807

Beaufort, SC
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SCRegion 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Section 504 of Rehab Act of 1973 Workshop

Hope Center

901 Main StreetSumter, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectEducation Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm*
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Horry County DSS Office

1951 Industrial Park Road Conway, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SCSouth Carolina Special Kids ProjectEducation Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/14/2010

10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop

Pathways to Independence: My Trip to Myrtle Beach

By Kelly Doyle

I went to Myrtle Beach for the Pathways to Independence Conference. We talked about self advocacy. We went to a lot of workshops. We learned about different things like: standing up for yourself, learning about what you want to do in life. We all had fun learning about different things and hanging out at the beach. We stayed at the Springmaid Beach Resort. We also had a lot of exhibits to look at and got some useful information. They had a dance on Saturday March 20th. The conference was March 20-21. I stayed there until Monday because we didn’t want to leave. Some of the workshops were fun. Especially Reddick’s workshop. But I loved the dance the most.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Columbia Mayor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities - awards nominations sought

Please note the short deadlines below and contact Sandy Bostick if you have questions.

If you would like to make a nomination for an award and need assistance, additional information or extra nomination forms, please contact Sandy Bostick at (803) 737-5627. To receive a copy of this award packet by e-mail please send a request to sbostick@sces.org. You can also request a luncheon invitation and note that the deadline to reserve luncheon space is April 1, 2010.

The deadline for submitting nominations is Thursday, April 1, 2010. All nomination should be submitted to: City of Columbia, Mayor’s Committee, Attn: Connie Lucius, PO Box 147, Columbia, SC 29217 or fax to (803) 733-8633.

The Columbia Mayor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities (MCEPD) is requesting nominations for this year’s awards. These awards honor those who have made important contributions to improve the quality of life and employment of those with disabilities.

Enclosed you will find award nomination forms for the following categories:

Small Employer of the Year Award (24 or fewer employees)
Medium-size Employer of the Year Award (26 – 500 employees)
Large Employer of the Year Award (500+ employees)
Employee with Disability of the Year Award
Mary Clay Distinguished Professional Service Award
Kristi Dawn McNair Student Award
Mary Mungo Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award
Barrier Free Award

The nominees must live or work in the following counties: Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, or Fairfield. If you wish to nominate an individual or organization, please complete the appropriate nomination form. One winner will be selected for each category and will be notified and asked to accept their award from City of Columbia Mayor Robert D. Coble on April 8, 2010 at the Mayors Committee Annual Awards Luncheon.

The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Guide

THE PARALYSIS RESOURCE GUIDE is a FREE 336-page book, a comprehensive information tool for people affected by paralysis and for those who care for them. You may request multiple copies. The book comes in English or Spanish (you may request some of both languages).

From the book's cover:

The Paralysis Resource Guide is brought to you by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC). The goal of the PRC is to help people navigate the chaos of paralysis. We do this with reliable information, and with a message of hope. Beyond the aggravation of learning to live with a new body, beyond the fear and the frustration, there is still hope and love and all the things that were in your life before paralysis. You are still the same person. You still have your life to live. This book is a tool to help you find what you need to stay as healthy, as active and as independent as possible.

A link to request copies of the book may be accessed by clicking the link in this post's title. To view the main PRC page, visit www.paralysis.org.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Newer Genetic Test for Autism More Effective

MONDAY, March 15 (HealthDay News) -- A newer type of genetic test is better at detecting abnormalities that predispose a child to autism than standard genetic tests, new research has determined.

Researchers offered about 933 people aged 13 months to 22 years who had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder three genetic tests: G-banded karyotype testing, fragile X testing or chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), which has been available only for the past few years.

Karyotype tests identified chromosomal aberrations associated with autism in about 2 percent of patients, while the fragile X genetic mutation was found in about 0.5 percent of patients.
CMA detected chromosomal abnormalities in slightly more than 7 percent of patients, making it the best available genetic test for autism spectrum disorders, the study authors said.

"The CMA test alone has triple the detection rate of karyotyping or fragile X," said co-senior author Bai-Lin Wu, director of the Genetics Diagnostic Laboratory at Children's Hospital Boston. "CMA should be added to first-tier genetic testing for autism spectrum disorders."

The full text of the article may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Autism Susceptibility Genes Identified

ScienceDaily (Mar. 25, 2010) — Two genes have been associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) in a new study of 661 families. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's newly launched journal Molecular Autism found that variations in the genes for two brain proteins, LRRN3 and LRRTM3, were significantly associated with susceptibility to ASD.

Anthony Monaco from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK, worked with an international team of researchers to study four candidate genes in families from the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. He said, "To our knowledge, this is one of the most comprehensive genetic analyses of association between these important genes in brain connections and ASD risk."

For more information please click on the title above.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

iPhone and iTouch Accessibility - Free Seminar

Join Seminars@Hadley for a demonstration and learn how the built-in screen magnification and screen reading features of the iPhone and iTouch can make this possible.

Jim Denham, assistive technology coordinator for the Perkins School for the blind, will demonstrate how the built-in screen reader VoiceOver allows him to access and use his iPhone every day.

Hadley instructor Doug Anzlovar will demonstrate the built-in screen magnification features of his iPhone and discuss how he accesses all the features of his iPhone. There will be ample time for participant questions and suggestions during this 90-minute seminar, moderated by Amy Salmon, Hadley instructor. Register today to participate

A link to the seminar's information page may be viewed by clicking on the title above.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Better Genetic Test for Autism? Chromosomal Microarray Analysis Picks Up More Abnormalities Than Current Tests

ScienceDaily (Mar. 15, 2010) — A large study from Children's Hospital Boston and the Boston-based Autism Consortium finds that a genetic test that samples the entire genome, known as chromosomal microarray analysis, has about three times the detection rate for genetic changes related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) than standard tests. Publishing in the April issue of Pediatrics (and online March 15), the authors urge that CMA become part of the first-line genetic work-up for ASDs.

Expectant parents who have family members with ASDs, as well as families who already have an affected child, often request genetic testing. However, there is still only limited knowledge about actual causative genes. The currently recommended tests (karyotyping to look for chromosomal abnormalities and testing for Fragile X, the single largest known genetic cause of ASDs) often come up negative. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) is a genome-wide assay that examines the chromosomes for tiny, sub-microscopic deletions or duplications of DNA sequences, known as copy-number variants.

For more information please click on the title above.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

EdVenture EdCeptional Families Conference

EdVenture is hosting the first annual EdCeptional Families Conference for parents, teachers and caregivers of children with disabilities or special needs on April 17, 2010 from 8am-1:00pm.

Four (4) hours of DSS credit will be available.

Dr. Marion Burton, the president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics is the keynote speaker.

Dr. Carol Page from the SC Assistive Technology Program will be presenting on assistive technology for reading and writing.

The registration fee is $15 and you must register to attend. EdVenture is located at 211 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201. For more information, call 803.400.1139.

More information about the conference and the registration form may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

New Avenue for Developing Treatments for Genetic Muscle-Wasting Disease

ScienceDaily (Mar. 16, 2010) — Scientists from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa have identified a promising new approach for developing drugs to treat Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading inherited cause of death in infants and toddlers. Dr. Rashmi Kothary and his doctoral student Melissa Bowerman have found that an enzyme called RhoA is overly active in a mouse model of the disease and blocking this enzyme can greatly increase survival. The research began as an attempt to understand the molecular pathways that are involved in SMA. Scientists have known for many years that this disease is caused by inherited mutations in a gene called survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1). These mutations cause nerve cells to lose their ability to control muscles, but researchers have never fully understood why.

For more information, please click on the title above.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Robot Teaches Stroke Survivors

ScienceDaily (Mar. 16, 2010) — Shaking hands with a robotic arm could be a new way to help stroke patients learn to use their arms again. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation report a pilot trial of the 'Braccio di Ferro' (Iron arm) robot in 10 patients. Elena Vergaro, from the University of Genoa, Italy, worked with a team of researchers from the Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, to develop the robotic aid. She said, "Our preliminary results from this small group of patients suggest that the scheme is robust and promotes a statistically significant improvement in performance. Future large-scale controlled clinical trials should confirm that robot-assisted physiotherapy can allow functional achievements in activities of daily life."

For more information please click on the title above.

Friday, March 19, 2010

South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) Expo Recap

The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) held its 17th annual expo Thursday at the Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park.

More than 55 vendors and agencies were at the event, providing exhibits and workshops for several hundred visitors.

Affiliated with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, SCATP is a federally funded program that works to put technology in the hands of people with disabilities to help improve their quality of life.

Carol Page, director of SCATP, said thousands of disabled people, their families, educators and caregivers across the state have been affected by assistive technology.

Page said assistive technology is any device that improves or increases a disabled person's functional abilities. It covers a broad spectrum of devices that are used in daily life.

"Technology is the great equalizer," she said. "This goes way beyond wheelchairs."

For more information, visit: www.sc.edu/scatp/index.htm.

To view the full article, click the link in this post's title.

Pro-Parents Calendar of Workshops

Calendar of Workshops Through 4/14

3/25/2010 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm*
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Clarendon DSS Office, 3 South Church Street, Manning, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

3/29/2010 9:00 am - 11:00 am*
ADD / ADHD Workshop
Dillon DSS Office, 1211 Highway 34 West, Dillon, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/03/2010 10:30 am - 12:30 pm*
Section 504 of Rehab Act of 1973 Workshop
Edgefield County DSS Office, 120 WA Reel Drive, Edgefield, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010 9:30 am - 11:30 am
ADD / ADHD Workshop
Anderson Behavioral Health Services, 226 McGee Road, Anderson, SC 29625
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC Region 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Marlboro County DSS Office, 713 South Parsonage Street, Bennettsville, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/08/2010 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm*
ADD / ADHD Workshop
Colleton County DSS Office, 215 South Lemacks Street, Walterboro, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/10/2010 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop
Family Connection of SC, St. Francis Hospital, Bernadine Center, 1 St. Francis Drive, Greenville, SC
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC Region 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Beaufort Marine Air Station, Building 807, Beaufort, SC
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC Region 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm*
Section 504 of Rehab Act of 1973 Workshop
Hope Center, 901 Main Street, Sumter, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/13/2010 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm*
Individual Education Program (IEP) Workshop
Horry County DSS Office, 1951 Industrial Park Road, Conway, SC
Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC, South Carolina Special Kids Project, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/14/2010 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Transitioning Out of Special Education Workshop
Sponsored By: Family Connection of SC
Spartanburg County Library, Hoechst Celanse Room, 151 South Church Street, Spartanburg, SC
Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC Region 3, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

4/14/2010 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBI) Workshop
Carolina Youth Development Center, 5055 Lackawanna Blvd, North Charleston, SC
Gayle Munn, PRO-Parents of SC Region 1, Education Coordinator
For More Information or To Register Call: 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

*Indicates workshops for foster parents and DSS staff.

An extended calendar of workshops may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Brain Plaques May Explain Higher Risk of Alzheimer's Based on Mom's History

ScienceDaily (Mar. 17, 2010) — A family history of Alzheimer's is one of the biggest risk factors for developing the memory-robbing disease, which affects more than 5 million Americans and is the most common form of senile dementia. Now an international collaboration led by NYU Langone Medical Center researchers has found the likely basis for this heightened familial risk -- especially from the maternal side. Aided by a new version of a brain scanning technique, the researchers discovered a far greater number of protein clumps linked to the disease among healthy adult children of parents with Alzheimer's compared to counterparts with no family history of dementia. The average increase in these clumps, called amyloid-beta plaques, was particularly striking among study volunteers whose mothers had been diagnosed with the disease. The plaques appeared throughout most regions of the brain.

For more information please click on the title above.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Parkinson's Disease Makes It Harder to Figure out How Other People Feel

ScienceDaily (Mar. 17, 2010) — Scientists are beginning to find out why people with Parkinson's disease often feel socially awkward. Parkinson's patients find it harder to recognize expressions of emotion in other people's faces and voices, report two studies published by the American Psychological Association. One of the studies raises questions about how deep brain stimulation, the best available treatment for patients who no longer respond to medication, more strongly affects the recognition of fear and sadness. A neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson's causes tremors, stiffness and balance problems, as well as fairly frequent depression and dementia.

For more information please click on the title above.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

EdVenture Open House for Children with Disabilities

Visit EdVenture’s Open House for Children with Disabilities on March 20, 2010 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

Admission is FREE for children with disabilities and their family members. Various organizations will also be there to share information about the services available to parents and caregivers of children with hearing/vision impairments. SC Assistive Technology will have a booth for visitors to learn more about assistive technology products and services.

EdVenture Children’s Museum is located at 211 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29201-3067. Call for more information at (803) 779-3100.

AT Expo - Adapted Race Car featured

SC Assistive Technology Expo Thursday March 18, 2010 9 am - 4 pm Marriott Spartanburg at Renaissance Park Adapted Race Car Featured at Assistive Technology Expo A specially adapted 200 inch long dragster will be on display as part of the South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo at the Spartanburg Renaissance Marriott on Thursday, March 18. The driver, Craig Hairston, uses a wheel chair and has adapted the race car with hand controls, and will be there to talk about his experiences. In January of 1979, an automobile accident left Craig with paralysis. According to Craig, the challenge was not “What will I have to give up?” but “How can I do it now?” Prior to the accident, Craig had been involved in various forms of racing, and one thing he knew was that motorsports competition would still be part of his lifestyle. By 1983, he raced in one of the toughest races known to man, the Baja 1000. Racing in a specially prepared off road car with hand controls, he not only finished, but won his class and received a special “Racer’s Spirit” award from the SCORE sanctioning body. Since that time he has continued to race in off road vehicles, Mini-Sprint cars, Legends cars, and is now building a dragster he calls the ”World’s Quickest Wheelchair” to see if he can crack the 200 MPH barrier in a quarter mile. When asked why he chose racing as is his recreational passion, Craig responded, “In racing, there’s no separate class for me. There’s no sympathy, special privileges, or accommodations. I’m either going to be the best on that day or I’m going to have to come back and try again. Racing doesn’t separate me from everyone else, it includes me.” Another important part of the racing program is the positive effect it has on other people with disabilities, especially kids. I am always in awe of a young person that has to fight the battles of any disability to have a quality life. Underneath the label of being disabled, they are regular people that have passions, dreams, and goals just like everyone else. So my real joy is inviting a young person with a disability to come join the team and be part of the racing experience. At the end of the weekend, if they go home with a big smile on their face, then I’ve made a small difference.” Don’t miss Craig and other assistive technology exhibits and workshops at the AT Expo March 18 from 9 am to 4 pm. The Expo is free and open to the public.

MedlinePlus Adds Audio Pronunciations to Dictionary

Have you ever read a medical word and wondered how to pronounce it? Do your customers ask you for help pronouncing medical words? MedlinePlus can help! The MedlinePlus medical dictionary now includes audio pronunciations. Learn how to say words like ptosis, Sjogren's and fibrillation. Search the medical dictionary on MedlinePlus. Then click on the red speaker icon next to your word to hear the pronunciation. If you have any questions or comments about this new feature, please send them to the MedlinePlus team via the contact form on MedlinePlus.

A Guide Special Education Advocacy

A Guide to Special Education Advocacy

Presented By

Matthew D. Cohen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 19, 2010

8:30am-4:00pm Glenforest School

1041 Harbor Drive West Columbia SC 29169

Individuals: $35.00 Couples $45.00

Cancellation fee $20.00 if cancel prior to 4/10/2010 NO REFUND AFTER 4/10/2010 CEU's & CLE's available for an additonal fee Scholarships available for Parents and Foster parents
Apply by 4/10/2010 email: jholten@proparents.org or Call PRO-Parents: (800) 759-4776 email: proparents@proparents.org

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Workshop: IEP Development & Collaboration Strategies

Full and partial tuition scholarships are available for A Special Full Day Workshop on March 20th on “IEP Development & Collaboration Strategies. How to develop meaningful and correct IEPs and how to work with an IEP team.” This workshop is very helpful for parents, teachers, and others who participate in IEP team meetings.

This workshop is offered in Partnership with SC Autism Society at The 16th Annual Family Connection Conference. Register now at www.familyconnectionsc.org. Location of conference: Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo, SC.

For details contact Les Barker at LesBarker@FamilyConnectionSC.org

The PDF containing workshop and registration information may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Meeting Description:
Understanding the Individual Education Program (IEP).
Being prepared for the IEP meeting.
Participating in the IEP meeting.
Follow up after the IEP meeting.

Host: Tanya M. Inabinet
Scheduled Date: Sat, Mar 13, 2010
Scheduled Time: 10:00 AM

The registration page for this workshop may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Google opens up audio caption to all YouTube users

Last Thursday Google announced that it was going one step further to make videos more accessible on YouTube. One of the first steps Google took was the development of a caption feature in 2008. Then in November 2009, Google released auto-captioning for a small, select group of partners. This allowed a small number of users to combine speech-to-text tools to automatically generate video captions when requested by a viewer. The announcement this week by Google will open up auto-captions to all YouTube users. In a statement Google noted that, “with just a few quick clicks videos can be accessed by a whole new global audience. And captions can make is easier for users to discover content on YouTube.” There will be a request processing button for un-captioned videos that any video owner can click on if they want to speed up the availability of auto-captions. In making this announcement, Google representatives stated, “making some of these videos more accessible to people who have hearing disabilities, not only represents a significant advancement in the democratization of information, it can also help foster greater collaboration and understanding.”

A link to Google's blog post about Youtube captioning may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Second Dose of Gene Therapy for Inherited Blindness Proves Safe in Animal Studies

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2010) — Gene therapy for a severe inherited blindness, which produced dramatic improvements last year in 12 children and young adults who received the treatment in a clinical trial, has cleared another hurdle. The same research team that conducted the human trial now reports that a study in animals has shown that a second injection of genes into the opposite, previously untreated eye is safe and effective, with no signs of interference from unwanted immune reactions following the earlier injection.

These new findings suggest that patients who benefit from gene therapy in one eye may experience similar benefits from treatment in the other eye for Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), a retinal disease that progresses to total blindness by adulthood. Researchers had exercised caution by treating only one eye in the human trial.

For more information please click on the title above.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Mouse Model Reveals a Cause of ADHD

ScienceDaily (Feb. 27, 2010) — Although it's typically considered an adolescent curse, ADHD actually affects about five percent of adults as well. New research in a mouse model of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder suggests that the root of the psychiatric disorder might be the over-activity of a protein that regulates dopaminergic pathways. The work suggests a path toward new treatments for symptoms including inattentiveness, over-activity and impulsivity.

The cause of ADHD is unknown, but there is increasing evidence that dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in the brain's reward-motivation system, is involved. Scientists have found that the level of dopamine, and the D2 receptor it binds to, are involved in the progression of ADHD, as well as four connected regions in the frontal region of the brain, two of which are directly linked to reward and motivation.

For more information, please click on the title above.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

A Playground for All Children of Aiken County, South Carolina

A Playground for All Children of Aiken County, South Carolina

"All Play Every Day" is a project of the Leadership Aiken County Class of 2009-2010. The intent of this project is to the raise funds that will be used to build a barrier-free playground for all children, including those with Special Needs. We are working to arrange that this playground be centrally located for Aiken County Residents and will facilitate an environment where all children can play together regardless of their abilities or disabilities.

This playground would provide rehabilitation and recreation to foster the development of all children in our county, including those with visual and hearing impairments or dependency on crutches and wheelchairs. Sadly, there is currently not a public boundary free (handicap-accessible) playground in all of Aiken County. The closest playground that offers this level of accessibility is in Augusta, GA. The reality is that many Aiken County families do not have the time or resources to frequent that playground. With your help, we can make this a reality!

The LAC class project will include the development of an awareness campaign through the use of this website, flyers, media coverage, and an awareness activity day at a community park. Our fundraising efforts will include pursuing grants, a corporate sponsorship campaign, name recognition with brick donors, recognition of significant donors within the park environment, and the hosting of a Bocce tournament on April 17th. Our goal is to raise $50,000 towards the cost of the playground surfacing and equipment under Leadership Aiken County’s 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

The next fundraiser is Bocce Tournament at Aiken’s Whitney Polo Field, Mead Avenue, Aiken, on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm.

See http://www.aikenplayground.org/ for more information. Email the Leadership class at contact@aikenplayground.org.

Regular Analgesic Use Increases Hearing Loss in Men, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2010) — In a study published in the March 2010 issue of The American Journal of Medicine, researchers determined that regular use of aspirin, acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increases the risk of hearing loss in men, particularly in younger men, below age 60.

Hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in the US, afflicting over 36 million people. Not only is hearing loss highly prevalent among the elderly, but approximately one third of those aged 40-49 years already suffer from hearing loss. Even mild hearing loss can compromise the ability to understand speech in the presence of background noise or multiple speakers, leading to social isolation, depression, and poorer quality of life.

For more information please click on the title above.

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

March 2010 Newsletter

This past month has been quite productive - we had over 100 information requests and even more articles sent out to patrons! We added several new patrons and checked out almost thirty books this month as well. Notable book additions includ The Horse Boy, How it Feels to Live With a Mental Disability, and Anna's Silent World.

The newletter may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Webinar: Communicating With Your Child's School

Meeting Description:

Talking with your child's IEP team

Communicating with your child's school through letterwriting

Organizing information about your child

Problem-solving skills

Are you passive or assertive?

Tips to assist parents to understand their parental rights

Presenter Information:

Tanya M. Inabinet

Tanya is the Regional Education Coordinator for PRO-Parents of SC for seven years serving the midlands of SC.

She is the mother of three beautiful daughters, one whom has a disability and attends school in Richland School District One.

A link to register for the webinar may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Brain Injury Alliance of SC Run for Thought!

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!

Please join us for the Brain Injury Alliance of SC Run for Thought!

The Event is presented by Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital. Among other things, this event also enables provision of a Statewide conference that provides information about assistive technology funding and implementation.

What: 5K Road Race, 1 Mile Walk and Roll
Where: Furman University, Greenville, SC
When: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Registration at 8:30 a.m. and Race/Walk begin at 9:30 a.m.

Register at www.FirstGiving.com/BIASC or contact BIASC office for registration form.

If you have any questions, please contact BIASC office at 1-877-TBI-FACT! Thanks!

A link to the event's website may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Word Learning Better in Deaf Children Who Receive Cochlear Implants by Age 13 Months

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2010) — Learning words may be facilitated by early exposure to auditory input, according to research presented by the Indiana University School of Medicine at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in San Diego, Feb. 18-22. A growing body of evidence points to the importance of early auditory input for developing language skills. Indiana University Department of Otolaryngology researchers have contributed to that evidence with several projects, including their study involving 20 deaf children (22- to 40-months-old and 12 to 18 months after cochlear implantation) and 20 normal hearing children (12- to 40-months of age) that was presented Feb. 21 at the AAAS meeting. The study's principal author, Derek Houston, Ph.D., associate professor and Philip F. Holton Scholar at the IU School of Medicine, said the study found that deaf children's word-learning skills were strongly affected by their early auditory experience.

For more information please click on the title above.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Key Player Found for a Cancer Typical in Down Syndrome

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2010) — Between 5 and 10 percent of babies with Down syndrome develop a transient form of leukemia that usually resolves on its own. However, for reasons that haven't been clear, 20 to 30 percent of these babies progress to a more serious leukemia known as Down syndrome acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (DS-AMKL), which affects the blood progenitor cells that form red blood cells and platelets. Now, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have found a gene regulator they believe to be a key player in DS-AMKL, advancing understanding of how the disease develops and how to treat it.

The study findings, published in the March 1 issue of Genes and Development, may also help in understanding other forms of leukemia, the researchers say. The gene regulator, miR-125b-2, belongs to a class of molecules known as microRNAs, which silence gene expression by halting the manufacturing of different proteins. While microRNAs are important to normal cell function, unusual amounts of them can lead to disease.

For more information, please click on the title above.

Friday, March 05, 2010

SC AT Expo 2010!

South Carolina Assistive Technology Expo 2010

Thursday, March 18, 2010 9 am – 4 pm

Marriott Spartanburg at Renaissance Park

299 North Church Street

Spartanburg, SC 29306

(864) 596-1211 or toll free 1-800-228-9250

*When making reservations, be sure to get the special $70 Expo room rate.

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - NO PRE-REGISTRATION NECESSARY

Exhibits and workshops about the latest assistive technology for people with disabilities and age-related limitations.

Our Exhibit Hall is full! If you would like to be contacted about exhibiting at next year’s Expo, please contact MaryAlice.Bechtler@uscmed.sc.edu.

Continuing education for OT, PT, SLP, Infant/Toddler, and Social Work will be offered for some workshops.To request special accommodations email the SC Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) at Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu or call (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522 by March 1, 2009.

Sign language interpreters will be available throughout the day.

The Expo website may be viewed by clicking the link in the post's title.

New Ways to Diagnose and Treat Alzheimer's, Findings Suggest

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2010) — A team of researchers at UMass Lowell has found a new mechanism by which a key protein associated with Alzheimer's disease can spread within the human brain. The research, led by UMass Lowell biological sciences professor Garth Hall, gives new hope that the disease may someday be cured. It provides a new explanation of how the protein tau, a normal human protein that becomes toxic in Alzheimer's patients, can appear in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The findings of the team from the UMass Lowell Center for Cellular Neuroscience and Neurodegeneration Research appear in the February issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

For more information please click on the title above.

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Please help spread the word: Preparing Students for the Real World: A Full Day Workshop

Preparing Students for the Real World: A Full Day Workshop on Transition

Transition can be a very exciting, and yet very stressful time for parents and professionals who are preparing adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities for an exit from the school system, and entrance into “the real world.” This workshop will overview the three major components of transition planning: postsecondary education, employment, and community living. Within each area, participants will learn to use a “one person at a time” approach to transition planning, and utilize assessment tools and strategies to support students with disabilities and their families in weighing out available options and identifying an appropriate path to adulthood.

Register for this workshop.
Instructor:
Darlene Magito-McLaughlin, Ph.D.
March 25, 20109:00 am-4:00 pm (registration begins at 8amLunch is included in workshop fee. Workshop Fee: $75 BACB CEU fee (optional): $20

Cancellation policy applies.

Location: MAP Columbia Conference Center169 Laurelhurst Ave.Columbia, SC
This workshop is designed for special education teachers, job coaches, board certified behavior analysts, board certified associate behavior analysts, and other professionals who are involved in transition planning for youngsters with autism and other developmental disabilities.

This workshop is Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) approved for 6 hours of Continuing Education Credit for qualified participants.

OBJECTIVES:
As a function of attending this workshop, attendees will be able to:

Use a “one person at a time” approach to transition planning, based on the principles and procedures of positive behavioral support and person-centered planning.

Identify and use available assessment tools and strategies to support students with disabilities and their families in weighing out available options regarding transition

Identify the continuum of services available in the areas of postsecondary education, employment, and community living.

Identify essential skills that will allow students to plan for and access the least restrictive alternatives in each area.

Create a collaborative partnership with families, schools, communities, and other professionals in order to divide and share responsibility for transition, thereby maximizing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

Assist families in using technology to access information, networking, financial, and personnel resources relevant to transition.

Darlene Magito McLaughlin, Ph.D. is the Founding Director and President of Positive Behavior Support Consulting and Psychological Resources, P.C., a professional consortium dedicated to the resolution of problem behavior in children, adolescents, and adults with special needs. She is a Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 23 years in a variety of different capacities that have included direct care, behavioral consultation, agency administration, school inclusion, and transition consultation. Dr. Magito McLaughlin received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Adelphi University in 1987, and a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology with a specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis from Adelphi in 1988. She later received a Master’s in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1995, and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Stony Brook in 1999, under the mentorship of Dr. Edward G. Carr.

Dr. Magito McLaughlin has published several empirical papers and book chapters on positive behavioral support strategies for children, adolescents, and adults with severe problem behavior. She has spoken nationally and internationally on topics related to behavioral support, and her work has been translated into in three languages. Dr. Magito McLaughlin’s clinical and research interests continue to promote normalization and inclusion for people with the most severe disabilities. In addition, her work has stressed individualized planning, strengths-based assessment, and the prevention of problem behavior through skill-building and environmental modification, multicomponent treatments, relationship-building, and broad systems change.

Dr. Magito McLaughlin and her colleagues work with families and school districts throughout Long Island to assist students in learning the skills necessary to find meaningful work and recreation in their home communities, to network and gain the respect of their peers, and to achieve important quality of life outcomes that will bridge the school to life transition in the least restrictive way possible.

Tim Conroy
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
South Carolina Autism Society
806 12th Street
West Columbia , South Carolina 29169

803-750-6988 extension 101
tim@scautism.org

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

The SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network

What is the purpose of the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

Provide opportunities for adult siblings of persons with developmental disabilities, related disabilities, and brain and/or spinal cord injuries to:

· Network with each other;

· Share experiences, ideas, and concerns;

· Gain information about the state’s system of supports and services; and

· Receive training on how to effectively advocate on behalf of their brother or sister with a disability.

Who is the Sibling Network For?

· Adult siblings, 21 years of age or older, of persons with developmental disabilities, related disabilities, and brain and/or spinal cord injuries.

· Anyone else that the individual with a disability considers family in cases where there is no living sibling.

What are the benefits of joining the Adult Sibling Network?

· Monthly webinars/seminars on topics of interest to siblings

· Statewide conference

· Adult Sibling Newsletter

· Adult Sibling Directory

· Support group

· Website with links to other states’ Adult Sibling Networks, other SC agencies and partners serving adults with disabilities, and legislative database.

What are the costs for joining the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

· There is NO financial cost for joining the network. There may be some registration fees associated with attending a statewide conference.

How can I join the Adult Sibling Leadership Network?

Complete a membership form or apply on-line on PRO-Parents’ website (www.proparents.org ) so we can address your interests and needs.

The SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network is a project of PRO-Parents of SC and is funded through a grant from the SC Developmental Disabilities Council. The grant will provide opportunities for adult siblings of persons with disabilities to network with each other, share information, gain information, and receive training on how to effectively advocate on behalf of their brother or sister. There is no obligation or cost to join the SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network. For more information or to receive a membership application, please contact PRO-Parents at (803) 772-5688 or 1-800-759-4776, or go to our website at www.scadultsiblingnetwork.org

Monday, March 01, 2010

Naptime Helps Babies Remember New Things

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Naps play an important role in infant learning by helping children's developing brains retain information, a new study has found.

Researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson found that infants who have daytime naps are more likely to exhibit an advanced level of learning called abstraction -- the ability to detect a general pattern contained in new information.

The full article may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.